13 Stylish Bathrooms Designed with Encaustic Cement Tile
Posted by William Buyok on
Cement tiles continue to be a design trend. It comes as no surprise that everyone loves encaustic cement tile. With so many patterns, colors, and design choices, you can find a tile that captures your style. While cement tile might be hip and trendy, their design versatility ensures a look that will last for years to come. Here are 13 bathrooms designed with cement tile that feel right at home.
Cement Tiles Provide Timeless Looks in Black, White, and Gray
Shades of gray or classic black and white continue to be top color choices for cement tile patterns. Black, white, and gray have broad appeal allowing bold accents of color to accentuate one's personality. The gray tones in cement tiles provide the right amount of contrast when paired with the natural variation of stone. The colors also pair flawlessly with glazed ceramics in black and white.
The images below demonstrate how cement tiles enhance the bathroom's unique design. A Cuban Heritage pattern in dark shadow and gray give this shower floor a more formal design. A traditional, European-inspired pattern in black and white creates a sophisticated backsplash for a powder room. In another powder room, the gray colors mute and soften a pattern that is used on the floor and wainscot. For the guest rooms at the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn, the designer chose a pattern of interlocking circles for the bathroom and shower floor.
Cement tile paired with natural stone provide a rich, traditional appearance
This cement tile in a classic black and white pattern makes a stunning powder room backsplash
In this powder room, the soft colors mute the cement tile pattern so it can be used as floor tile and wainscot
The guest bathrooms and shower at the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn, NY are bedecked with cement tile
Cement Tile Provides Colorful Choices for Bathroom Floors
If you love color and patterns, then you've found Nirvana with cement tile. These bathroom designs use bold colors in both cool and warm palettes that provide a rich, Bohemian feel that is truly one-of-a-kind. You'll love how the choice of simple or complex patterns are customized to create a design that is all about you!
The gracious master bath of this island vacation retreat maintains a contemporary open feel by using floating vanities and cement tile rug in two colors. Cement tiles continue to be flexible, current, and contemporary. The shape and two-tone color palette of the traditional field (Cruz Saldrigas) and border (Alcala) pattern creates a classic cement tile rug with a contemporary vibe. The rug works nicely in the large rectangular master bath emphasizing clean lines. Cement tiles are also used in the enclosed shower area.
A gracious master bath maintains a contemporary feel with floating vanities and a cement tile rug.
Relief cement wall tiles, Hispaniola, come in different patterns and colors
Patterned cement tile colors can be customized to create a unique look
This incredibly complex design for the pattern-addict uses CH150-3B field and border tiles on the floor and walls
The customer chose a design requiring a custom mold to accommodate a pattern they loved in a smaller scale
A brightly colored shower surround pattern (Geo 11) exudes energy. Expert attention to detail by the installer ensures the pattern's seamless continuity
The custom colors of this classic Cuban rug design provide a refreshing feel for this shower floor
New York Designer, Ceila Reiss, used a Cuban cement tile pattern, CH140-2B, on the floor and tub surround base
Warm colors for this cement tile rug make for a stunning walk in shower for the master bath
The Traditional Melilla cement tile floor provides and exoctic feel for this mater bath
Tips for Using Encaustic Cement Tile in Showers and Bathrooms
These colorful, timeless tiles are becoming more popular and can be used just about anywhere. The most common question is, "Can I use them in my shower or bath?" The answer is definitely, "Yes!" Cement tiles can also be used in wet areas such as the bathroom floor, shower floor, shower wall, steam room or sauna. However, because these tiles are porous they must be sealed with a penetrating or impregnating sealer after installed. You may also want to seal them with a penetrating sealer prior to installing to avoid problems with staining during installation and to make clean-up easier after grouting. Remember, cement or concrete tiles (as they are more accurately called) are not glazed or fired, like the ubiquitous ceramic or porcelain tile.
While encaustic tiles may be a top trend at the moment, they have been around since the late 1800's. They are still hand-made and manufactured using the same process. However, do not confuse encaustic cement tile with encaustic tile. Encaustic tiles have been around since The Middle Ages and made by using two or more different colors of clay in the body of the tile. Cement tiles or encaustic cement tiles are made by pouring pigmented concrete into a mold and then each tile is hydraulically pressed. Encaustic or clay encaustic tiles are fired and freeze-thaw resistant; encaustic cement tiles are not.
Slip Resistance of Cement Tiles in Bathrooms and Showers
When wet, cement tiles can become slippery. Cement tiles have been used on the floors of both commercial and residential bathrooms and showers without problems. The tiles perform well in wet applications. However, to improve slip resistance, consider these recommendations when using cement tiles in wet areas, especially for commercial applications:
- Consider using raw or unpolished tiles from the manufacturer
- The installer should minimize buffing or polishing the tiles in the final installation stage after grouting. The more you buff or polish the tile, the smoother it becomes.
- Always seal with a penetrating sealer and avoid top-coat sealers on wet floor applications. Top-coat sealers may make the tile less resistant to slips.
Slip Resistance Testing and Standards of Cement Tile
The cement tiles we carry have been tested to meet slip resistance requirements. However, this standard has been changed. Prior to 2014, floor slip resistance testing was done in accordance to a specific testing standard (ASTM method C 1028). The test measures the tile's coefficient of friction or resistance to slip accidents in both wet and dry conditions. In the USA, architects and designers generally required a wet static coefficient of friction to be 0.60 or higher. Unpolished or raw cement tiles generally have an average coefficient of friction (wet) between 0.80 - 0.90. Polished tiles have a an average coefficient of friction (wet) between 0.65 - 0.75.
Preventing Efflorescence with Cement Tiles in Wet Areas
Moisture passing through cement tiles can activate the minerals in the cement. As the water evaporates, the salts are left behind on the tiles' surface leaving a white, powdery substance called efflorescence. To prevent efflorescence in wet areas, it is important to seal the tiles thoroughly and make sure an adequate moisture barrier is part of the substrate design.